Lake Chabot Photos

Description

Lake Chabot offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, which connect to the additional 70 miles of trails in adjoining Anthony Chabot Regional Park. The most popular lake trails are the paved, 3.52-mile West Shore and East Shore trails which provide access to the dam and east shore of the lake. Don't miss the suspension bridge at the end of the paved East Shore Trail. The Lake Chabot bicycle loop covers 12.42 miles via the Live Oak Trail and 14.41 miles via the Honker Bay Trail. There is also the wonderful Lake Chabot History Walk along the West Shore Trail.

The 315-acre lake is regularly stocked with trout and catfish. There are also bass, crappie, and other fish. A popular event is the annual spring fishing derby where volunteers team up with persons with disabilities for a day of fishing, fun, and huge smiles all around. There are several fishing piers along the lake. Fishing at Lake Chabot requires a current California Fishing License with stamps and an EBRPD Daily Fishing Access Permit for all fishermen aged 16 and older. These are available for purchase at the Marina Cafe. There is no swimming at all allowed in the lake.

At Lake Chabot you can rent canoes and boats, visit the Marina Cafe (a cafe and bait and tackle shop), picnic, play volleyball, hike, bicycle, jog, and take seasonal lake tours aboard the tour boat "Chabot Queen." The tour boat can also chartered for lake tours. Many water birds make Lake Chabot their home. In fact, a swan can currently be seen gliding gracefully along its waters. Other visible wildlife can include rabbits, deer, turtles, snakes, and birds of prey.

Lake Chabot Reservoir was built in 1874-75 as a primary source of water for the East Bay. The 315-acre lake was closed to recreation for 91 years. Legislation passed in the 1960s opened the lake for controlled recreational uses. Currently, the lake serves as a standby emergency water supply. For this reason, visitors are asked to observe posted rules to keep the waters pure.